Rolls-Royce awarded FAA Certification for RR300 engine ahead of schedule

Sunday, 24 February 2008

Houston, TX: Rolls-Royce, the world-leading producer of light turbine engines in the helicopter market, announced today that it has been awarded both FAA Type and Production Certification for the RR300 ahead of schedule. The RR300 is the newest member of the company’s helicopter engine family.

Ken Roberts, Acting President of Helicopters for Rolls-Royce, said: “The RR300 program, launched in 2007, has achieved all its development milestones ahead of schedule.

These final awards in the development and certification program clear the way for full-rate production and also bring us closer to demonstrating the many benefits both of this engine and of future members of the RR300 family.”

The RR300 represents a major step forward in the helicopter industry by providing 300 shaft horsepower (shp) at take-off, excellent hot and high performance and outstanding value. The RR300 makes Rolls-Royce turbine power available in the lower shp range, providing for the first time a proven turbine alternative to aviation reciprocating engines.

In 2007, Rolls-Royce and Robinson Helicopter announced an agreement to provide RR300 engines to power the new Robinson R66 rotorcraft. Under the agreement, Rolls-Royce expects to provide hundreds of RR300 engines over the next few years.

Also in 2007, Rolls-Royce signed Memoranda of Understanding with Enstrom Helicopters, Schweizer Aircraft and MD Helicopters to evaluate future applications of the new RR300 engine family.

The RR300 embodies new technology and advanced design methodology. The engine draws on the proven record of other Rolls-Royce turbine powerplants to deliver a powerful, dependable engine at a competitive price.
Key attributes of the RR300 include: lower acquisition and operating costs; low-weight, compact design; improved specific fuel consumption; an embedded engine monitoring system; and the ability to burn a wide variety of aviation fuels.
Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, operates in four global markets; civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
It continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance of its products. These investments create high barriers to entry.
The success of its products is demonstrated by rapid and substantial gains in market share. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide and they generate a demand for high-value services throughout their operational lives.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and energy customers in 120 countries. Rolls-Royce is a technology leader, employing 38,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries.

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